ON THE PLAINS 



hostinez, as it is called in Bohemia ; and a muddy 

 pond, form the regular characteristics. Dirty, half- 

 clothed children play in the dust ; flocks of geese 

 occupy the roadway, and fly cackling from beneath 

 the horse's feet as one drives along ; and a troop of 

 mongrel curs pursue every vehicle with angry bark- 

 ing. The landscape is monotonous, to say the least 

 of it. The tall chimneys of an occasional sugar 

 fabrik are the only landmarks to meet the eye. 

 Such is the country over which one shoots the 

 partridge. 



But though the scenery is far from picturesque, 

 there are many features of interest in the sport itself, 

 especially to a foreigner. The day's arrangements 

 are carried out with much more formality than with 

 us. The long line of beaters advances and halts, 

 turns and wheels, in obedience to bugle calls, with 

 soldier- like precision. The military effect is height- 

 ened by the distinctive dress of the keepers. Each 

 landowner has his own livery. Coat and trousers 

 of green, grey, or brown ; a green coat-collar and 

 waistcoat ; high boots, reaching to just below the 

 knee ; and a soft hat, decked with a tuft of feathers, 

 or some other trophy of the chase, form the keeper's 

 costume. An ornamented cartridge-bag and a horn 

 are slung over his shoulders ; add to these impedi- 

 menta a gun, a walking-stick, a long-stemmed pipe, 

 and a dog in a leash, and it may be understood that 



87 



